Propeller structure



Feb. 1, 1944. s-r L 2,340,709

PROPELLER STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 10, 1942 v 4 Jwucmioi g u mm sag/2mm j i l Z Patented Feb. 1, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,340,709 PROPELLER STRUCTURE Milton Stillman, Bremerton, Wash. Application December 10, 1942, Serial No. 468,528

4 Claims. (01. 170-453) This invention relates to a propeller structure and has relation more particularly to a structure of this kind including means or blades which are adapted to turn or feather at certain points in the revolution of the shaft so that at one portion of revolution the vanes or blades are presented with their faces in the direction of revolution and at another part of their revolution, with their edges in the direction of revolution.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure of this kind which may be employed with equal facility as a wind or water wheel and wherein said structure may operate as a driving or driven unit.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved propeller structure whereby certain important advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention. may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe-the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a propeller structure constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, one of the blades or vanes being broken away.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of the orbit members herein embodied, an interposed shank and cam of a blade or vane being indicated by broken lines.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, my improved propeller structure comprises two spaced orbit members I and 2 arranged side by side in desired spaced relation and which extend upwardly from the base plates 3 and 4, respec tively, which are adapted to be securely anchored in desired assembly by conventional bolts 5 or otherwise as may be preferred. The orbit member I defines a relatively large central opening 8 with the inner surrounding annular face I fiat and unobstructed and with said face I coplanar at all points and at right angles to the axis of the opening 6.

The orbit member 2 also defines a relatively large central opening 6' resulting in a surrounding annular inner face 8 which is directly disposed to the face I of the orbit member I. .A portion of this face 8 is outwardly offset, as at 9, with the ends of said offset portion suitably inclined, as at It], to provide cam faces. The inner face 8 extending from one end to the other of the offset portion 9 is also flat and unobstructed and in a plane at right angles to the axial center of the opening I.

The inner face II of the offset portion 9 is also fiat and unobstructed and in a plane parallel to the plane of the face 3 proper or at right angles to the axial center of the opening 6'- Thisface II is f a length determined by the period of rotation of the propeller. It is desired to have one of the blades or vanes I2 of the propeller with its edges disposed substantially at right angles to the direction of rotation of the propeller or in eifective position. In view of this, it is believed to be obvious that during the remaining rotation of the propeller, each of the blades or vanes I2 has its edges disposed in the direction of revolution of the propeller or in a feathered or ineffective position.

Each of the propellers or blades I2 at its inner end is provided with an outwardly and longitudinally disposed stub shaft I5 which is positioned off center with respect to its blade or vane I2,

whereby the desired feathering movement of the blade or vane I2 is assured. This stub shaft I5 is of desired length and extends between the members I and 2 and snugly and rotatably directed through the wall I6 defining a socket or recess IT in the central portion of the outer face of a head I8. The shank I5 extends within this socket or recess I! and engaged with said inner portion of the shaft I5 is a conventional holding member I9, herein disclosed as a nut turning upon the shaft. It is believed to be apparent that the mounting of the stub shaft I 5 is such as to permit the same to have free rotation.

Fixed for rotation with the stub shaft I5 of each of the blades or vanes l2 at a point between the orbit members I and 2 is a cam member 20 of required formation and of such dimensionsas to have substantial contact with the opposed faces I, 8 and I I of the orbit members I and 2, respectively, so that as the head I8 revolves, the contact of the cam 20 with the face II of the offset portion 9 of the orbit member 2 will rotate the associated blade or vane I 2 into effective position for a period of time dependent upon the extent of the face I I.

The head I8, as herein disclosed, is carried by a suitably mounted shaft 2I which may, if desired, be power driven or may be used as a power take-on? medium.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a propeller structure constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

What is claimed is:

1. A propeller structure comprising two orbit members arranged side by side and in spaced relation, said members having central openings, a head extending into the openings of 'the members and bridging the space therebetween, means for mounting said head for rotation, vanes radiating from the head and rotatably connected therebetween, the inner portions of the vanesextending between the orbit members, theinner face of one of the orbit members having an annularflat surface, the second member having itsinner face provided with an arcuate flat unbroken surface, the portion of said member between the extremities ofthe arcuate fiat surfacesv being outwardly offset; the outer face of the offset along the. major portionthereof being fiat and unbroken, and cam elementscarried'by the inner portions of the. vanes in substantially constant contact: with the inner surfaces of the orbit members.

2. A propeller structure comprising two orbit members. arranged side by side and in spaced relation, said members having central openings, a head extending into the openings of the members and bridging the space therebetween, means for. mounting said head for rotation, vanes radiating from the head and rotatably connected therebetween, the inner portions of the vanes extendingybetween the orbit members, the inner face-of one of, the orbit members having an annular flatsurface, the second member having its inner. face provided with an arcuate flat unbroken surface, the portion of said "member between the extremities of the arcuate flat surfaces being outwardly offset, the outer face of the offset along the major. portion thereof being flat and unbroken, and cam elements carried by the inner portionsof the vanes in substantially constant contact with .theinner surfaces of the orbit membeIS;the inner end portions .of the vanesirr rotatable engagement with the head being off center.

3. A propeller structure comprising two orbit members arranged side by said and in spaced relation, said members having central openings, a head extending into the openings of the members and bridging the space therebetween, means for mounting said head for rotation, vanes radiating from the head and rotatably connected therebetween, the inner portions of the vanes extending; between the orbit members, the inner face of one of the orbit members having an annular fiat surface, the second member having its inner face provided with an arcuate fiat unbroken surface, the portion of said member between the extremities of the arcuate flat surfaces being outwardly offset, the outer face of the offset along the major: portion thereof being fiat and unbroken, and cam elements carried by the inner portions of the vanes in substantially constant contactwithi the-inner-surfaces of the orbit members, the extremities-0f the offset portion being inclined to provide cam faces.

4, A- propeller structure comprising two orbit members arranged side by sideand in spaced relation, said members having centralopenings, a head'extendinginto the openings of the membersand bridging thespace therebetween, means for mounting said head for rotation, vanes radiating, from the head and rotatably connected therebetween; the inner portions of the vanes ex.. tending between the orbit members; the inner face of oneof the orbit-membershaving an annular flat surface, the secondimember having its inner face providedwith an arcuate'flatunbroken surface, the portionof said member between the extremities of the arcuate flat surfaces beingoutwardly, offset, the. outer face ofthe offset along the major portion. thereof: being fiat and unbroken, cam elements carried by'the-inner portions'of: the vanes: in substantially constant contact withrtheinner surfaces of the orbit members, and outwardly disposed plates carried by the orbit members to provide means for securing saidmembers in'place.

MILTON STILLMAN. 

